en
In this article we will explore the distinctive characteristics of porcelain stoneware, uncovering what makes it an ideal material for flooring and cladding – not only in residential settings, but also in outdoor areas, offices, and commercial spaces. We will review the remarkable technical properties of stoneware, which, combined with its aesthetic qualities, make it an outstanding choice for a wide range of applications and a variety of interior design styles.
Porcelain stoneware is a premium ceramic material, crafted through a complex production process that makes it suitable for a variety of applications. It is composed of finely ground, almost impalpable, clays, sands, feldspars, and kaolins, which are pressed with extraordinary force and fired at temperatures exceeding 1,200 C°. During firing, a physical-chemical process known as “sintering” occurs, fusing the raw materials together and giving the stoneware its remarkable strength and durability. This extremely dense, non-porous structure renders the material waterproof and resistant to weather and UV rays, making it an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor use.
So, what is the difference between porcelain stoneware and traditional ceramic? Though porcelain stoneware is classified as a ceramic material, it is actually an extremely high performance evolution of traditional ceramic. Let’s take a more detailed look at how it is made and what its technical characteristics are.
The term porcelain stoneware refers to a variety of production techniques, all characterised by the sintering of raw materials, as mentioned above. This process makes it possible to produce different kinds of stoneware, each with distinct characteristics. On the market, one often finds multi-technology collections that offer a wide range of aesthetic options, such as wood-look, stone-look or marble-look porcelain stoneware.
What sets these collections apart is their ability to achieve the same aesthetic look on tiles of different thicknesses. This makes it possible to distinguish between the different technologies used in the production of porcelain stoneware, which can be grouped into three main categories:
With a thickness of 9 or 10 mm, this type of stoneware is produced using moulds that correspond to the most common formats available on the market. It is a versatile option, suitable for indoor flooring and cladding.
Twice as thick as standard stoneware, this material is exceptionally resistant to heavy loads. Its special anti-slip surface finishes make it ideal for many outdoor applications, including raised floors, driveways, pool edges, and pathways on grass or gravel.
Created through an innovative production process, these slabs are available in over-sized formats with a reduced thickness of 3.5 to 6.6 mm. This makes them simultaneously lightweight, easy-to-handle, and durable. Introduced around twenty years ago, laminated stoneware is widely used for flooring, wall cladding, building facades, worktops, and furniture.
The perfect fusion of raw materials gives porcelain stoneware its compact and uniform structure, ensuring exceptional performance. Its unique composition provides outstanding resistance to scratches, impacts, and sudden changes in temperature, qualities we explored in more detail in a previous article
Additionally, thanks to its extremely low porosity, porcelain stoneware is waterproof and resistant to stains and chemical agents, making it easy to cleanand ensuring that it maintains a flawless appearance over time. This combination of durability and low maintenance makes porcelain stoneware the ideal choice for flooring, cladding, and worktops, in both residential and commercial settings. Whether used on the floor, as kitchen cladding, or as a bathroom worktop, porcelain stoneware offers endless creative possibilities.
One final characteristic of porcelain stoneware that deserves to be mentioned is its environmental sustainability. Made from widely available natural raw materials, it is produced through a process that reuses all waste, both raw and fired, as well as all process water. At the end of an exceptionally long lifespan (we’re talking decades!), it can be easily recycled as inert construction material. Finally, by mimicking valuable natural materials such as wood and marble, porcelain stoneware helps reduce the need to extract these resources.
As mentioned earlier, porcelain stoneware, in its various technological forms, is perfect for a wide range of applications. Let’s take a look at the most common ones.
When choosing porcelain stoneware for indoor flooring, it is important to consider the specific characteristics of the environment. With a variety of options available, it is possible to find the perfect for solution for every need.
Private Homes: Though the demands are generally less rigorous than in commercial spaces, it is still important to assess the environment. In high-traffic zones, like entrances, kitchens, and bathrooms, it is advisable to choose stoneware with a higher PEI rating, while in areas with lighter foot traffic, such as bedrooms or studies, materials with a lower rating are sufficient.
Another factor to consider is the dynamic friction coefficient (R), which measures slip resistance on a wet surface. For bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, balconies, or driveways, even if covered, it is essential to choose a material with a high R value in order to minimise the risk of slips and falls.
Finally, the reduced thickness of laminated stoneware provides a highly efficient solution, which we talked about in this article: dry laying, even on top of an existing floor.
When selecting outdoor flooring for areas such as balconies, terraces, or gardens, it is essential to choose a material that can withstand frost, the elements, and UV rays. Porcelain stoneware is an excellent choice, as it meets all of these requirements. However, given that outdoor flooring is regularly exposed to water and moisture, it is fundamental that the aforementioned slip-resistance rating be considered. A rating of R11 or higher is ideal, ensuring a surface with a perceptibly rough texture which reduces the risk of slipping when tiles are damp or wet.
The thickness of the tiles is another important aspect to consider for outdoor flooring. In addition to the standard thickness, 20 mm outdoor stoneware offers greater resistance to heavy loads. This double-thick option allows for alternative installation methods, such as installation on self-levelling supports (perfect for terraces ) or dry laying on grass or gravel.
Recent technological developments have made it possible to create surfaces with varying levels of slip-resistance, while maintaining the same aesthetic appeal and remaining easy to clean. By carefully combining these new finishes, it is possible to design a living space that maintains visual continuity between indoor and outdoor flooring, enhancing the overall aesthetic value of the environment.
Interior porcelain stoneware cladding offers exceptional creative freedom thanks to its water-resistance and the wide range of designs available. This material can be used to clad backsplashes and showers, as well as exterior walls. For more technical outdoor applications (such as installation on thermal insulation or ventilated facades), it is best to consult experts and specialised contractors. To assist designers, Cotto d’Este provides a series of technical manuals for specific applications.
A particularly innovative use of ceramics is in the field of furniture design. Thanks to the reduced thickness of laminated porcelain stoneware, it can be used to clad cabinet doors, kitchen islands, worktops, vanity tops, and movable partitions. With thinner formats, like the 3.5 mm slabs, it is even possible to clad curved walls, as demonstrated by the application of slabs produced by Cotto d’Este in a highway tunnel.
If you are interested in further exploring any of the topics covered in this article, we recommend looking into Cotto d’Este’s Safetouch technology, designed to provide seamless visual continuity between indoor and outdoor flooring. Additionally, if you would like to learn more about laminated stoneware, check out Kerlite, the series of ultra-thin slabs that Cotto d’Este introduced to the market in 2004, the first company in the ceramic sector to do so. As for standard porcelain stoneware, look at this article to find out why the brand chose to enter this market segment with a 14 mm-thick product.
Contacts
Milan Showroom
Roomviewer
Search
